Razor with shave-counter



M15129, 1969 A. SAFERSTEIN ET AL 3,440,999

RAZOR WITH SHAVE-COUNTER Filed July 7, 1966 ALBERT SAFERSTEIN A TORNEYUnited States Patent 3,440,999 RAZOR WITH SHAVE-COUNTER AlbertSaferstein, 1055 Esplanade, Bronx, N.Y. 10461, and Joseph Ross, 12 DaleRoad, Monsey, N.Y. 10952 Filed July 7, 1966, Ser. No. 563,579 Int. Cl.G09f 9/46 US. Cl. 116-133 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Thisinvention relates generally to razors, and is especially concerned withimprovements in razors of the shavecounting type.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide ashave-counting razor which is entirely automatic in operation, thenumber of shaves being indicated by the razor without any specialprocedure or effort by the user.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide ashave-counting razor of the type described wherein an indicator isautomatically stepped or operated upon full opening of the blade-holdinghead for cleaning between shaves; while partial opening of the head, asfor rinsing during a shave, does not affect the counter.

It is still a further object of the instant invention to provide a razorwherein the number of shaves per blade is automatically counted, andwherein the changing of a blade and reversion of the counter to zero isquickly and easily effected by a simple finger pushing operation.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide ashave-counting razor having the advantageous characteristics mentionedin the preceding paragraphs, which is extremely simple in construction,automatic in operation, may be economically manufactured for sale at areasonable price, and which is durable and entirely reliable throughouta long useful life.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal elevational view showing a razor constructedin accordance with the teachings of the present invention, with theblade-holding head in closed condition;

FIGURE 2 is a top perspective view showing the razor of FIGURE 1 withthe head in an open condition;

FIGURE 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken generally anlongthe line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view similar to FIGURE 3,but illustrating the head open condition; and

FIGURE 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view simi- 3,440,999Patented Apr. 29, 1969 lar to FIGURE 6, but showing a slightly modifiedembodiment of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically toFIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, a shave-counting razor is there generallydesignated 10, and includes a blade-holding head 11 disposedtransversely on one end of an elongate hollow handle 12. The handle 12extends from the head 11 and includes, an elongate hollow tube 13,having one end fixed to the head 11, and, a rotary actuating knob 14carried by the remote or distal end of the tube 13. The knob 14 isrotatably carried, as by a journal connection 15 on the distal end oftube 13, see FIGURE 3.

Referring again to FIGURE 3, the handle tube 13 is provided with a thruopening 18, which may be of generally rectangular configuration, asillustrated, or otherwise if desired. A window 19, say of transparentplastic or other light-permeable material, is located in the opening 18to close the latter while affording visual access therethrough. Thewindow 19 is retained in the opening 18 by any suitable means, such as aretainer lip 20 extending interiorly of the tube 13, to prevent outwardremoval of the window while permitting inward displacement thereof, asby finger pressure of a user.

Along its upper edge, the window 19 is provided with a flange 21extending inwardly into the interior of tube 13, and a tooth 22 dependsfrom the flange 21, for a purpose appearing presently. The lower edge ofwindow 19 is similarly provided with an inwardly extending flange 23,the lower and upper flanges 23 and 21 combining to define an inwardlyfacing recess 24.

Disposed longitudinally within the tube 13, generally axially thereof,is an elongate member of shaft 26 of sectional construction including amain part 27 in the tube 13 and extending into the actuating knob 14.The shaft 26 includes a headponnection part 28 for attachment to thehead 11 to operate the latter, and is swivelly connected, as by a swiveljoint 29, to the adjacent end of the main shaft part 27. Thehead-connection shaft part 28 may be constrained to pure axial,longitudinal movement, as by a pin 30 fixed to the tube 13 andprojecting into a longitudinally extending groove 31 of the shaft part28. Thus, the shaft part 28 may shift longitudinally the pin 30 ridingin the groove 31, but is constrained against rotative movement. The mainshaft part 27 is movable both longitudinally and rotatively, a pin 33projecting inward from the tube 13 and having its inner and engaging ina cam slot 34, say of generally spiral configuration. In order to effectlongitudinal and rotative movement of shaft part 27, the knob 14 isprovided with a crosspin 35 extending through a diametral slot 36 in theshaft part 27. The slot 36 is of a length permitting movement of theshaft part 27 relative to the cross pin 35. Hence, upon rotation of knob14, the shaft part 27 is rotated by the pin 35 in slot 36, and the shaftpart is free to move longitudinally as determined by the cam action ofpin 33 in slot 34. This shifts the shaft part 27 longitudinally inopposite directions, to raise and lower the shaft part 28 which is totatably affixed to shaft part 27 and the swivel joint 29, f0] openingand closing the head 11. If desired, other suitablt means may beemployed for opening and closing the heat 11.

Rotatably circumposed about the shaft part 27 is a1 annular indicatormember or ring 38 having numerice indicia on its periphery and adjacentto the window 1 for visual presentation of the indicia through the saiwindow. Further, the indicator ring 38, while rotatabl and slidablelongitudinally relative to the shaft part 2' is received in the recess24 of the window 19, and therel: maintained in position longitudinallyof the handle tul 13. Suitable resilient means, such as a coil spring40, m2

be connected between the indicator ring 38 and the tube 13, toresiliently and yieldably maintain the ring in a predetermined positionof its rotative movement. More particularly, the ring 38 may beyieldably and resiliently urged by the spring 40 to a position of itsrotative movement with a particular numeral indicia exposed through thewindow 19.

On the underside of indicator ring 38, as seen in FIGURE 3, there is anannular array of depending teeth 41, say of triangular or ratchet-toothconfiguration. On the upper side or end of ring 38 may be provided anannular array of upstanding teeth 42, which may also be of generallytriangular, or ratchet-tooth configuration. As in the illustratedembodiment, the lower group of teeth 41 may be arranged in an annulusconcentric with and having a smaller diameter than the annular array ofupper teeth 42. Further, the depending lug or tooth 22 carried by window19 is normally located in the path of the upper group of teeth 42 forabutting engagement with respective latter teeth to limit rotativemovement of indicator ring 38 in one angular direction. However, the lugor tooth 22 is displaceable out of the path of teeth 42, as by inwardmovement of the window 19 under finger pressure of the user, to permitreturn of the indicator ring 38 to its original position under theresilient force of spring 40.

The operating shaft part 27 carries a lug or abutment 44 for movementwith the shaft into engagement with the lower depending teeth 41. Thatis, upon rotation of knob 14 to effect upward shifting and axialrotation of shaft part 27, the lug 44 engages one of the teeth 41 toeffect an incremental rotational movement of indicator ring 38. The lugor tooth 22 of window 19 is configured to ride over one of the teeth 42upon this incremental rotation of ring 38, as by fiexure of the lug 22or displacement of the window. Hence, the lug 22 is then in holdingengagement with the next adjacent tooth 42. This incremental movement ofindicator ring 38 is illustrated in FIGURE 6, the position of lug 44being shown in phantom in FIGURE 5. Upon return of the shaft part 27 toits original position of FIGURE 3, the lug 22 retains the indicator ring38 in its incrementally rotated position against the action of coilspring 44.

The above-described operation is that for fully opening and closing thehead 11, as for removal and replacement of a blade, and thorough rinsingof the razor. Sufiicient opening of the head 11 to effect rinsing, butwithout blade replacement, may be effected without incrementallyrotating the indicator wheel 38, as the head may be open sufficientlyfor rinsing without lug 44 engaging a tooth 41.

Thus it will be appreciated that each successive full rinsing of thehead 11, as at the end of each particular shaving procedure, will effectan incremental rotative displacement of indicator wheel 38, so that theindicia thereof presented through window 19 will record the number ofshaves performed. Upon replacement of the blade, it is only necessary todepress the window 19 inward to release the upper group ofindicator-wheel teeth 42 from lug 22, whereupon the indicator wheel 38returns to its starting aosition under the force of the spring 40. Theholding tction of lug 22 with respect to a tooth 42 may best be een inFIGURE 4.

A slightly modified embodiment is illustrated in IGURE 7, say for use inrazor constructions wherein he operating shaft may be constrainedagainst rotation nd limited to longitudinal shifting movement.

The handle tube 13a, as shown in FIGURE 7, may be ssentially similar tothe handle tube 13 of FIGURE 3, nd an actuating knob 14a is illustratedin threaded enagement with an operating shaft 26a. The operating shaft6a may be of an integral construction, and will be conrained againstrotation by its attachment to transverse :ember 50 (see FIGURE 2)movably attached to the .ade holding head 11. The transverse member 50is free i move vertically up or down by vertical movement of e operatingshaft 26a. Said member 50, however, is constrained against rotativemovement by slots provided in the base 51 of the shaving head 11 in aknown manner. Referring to FIGURE 2, the member 50 will have end members53 pivotally engaging the lid portions 52 of the head 11 therebyfacilitating the opening and closing of the lids 52 by the up and downmovement of the shaft 260 in a known manner. Thus, the shaft 26a islimited to longitudinal movement responsive to rotation of knob 14a, andthe shaft 26a is constrained against rotation.

Provided in the handle tube 13a is an opening 18a receiving a window19a, which may be essentially identical to the window 19 of thefirst-described embodiment.

An indicator ring 38a may be slidably and rotatably circumposed aboutthe shaft 26a, constrained against longitudinal movement by engagementin the window 19a, and otherwise substantially identical to thefirst-described indicator ring 38. Suitable resilient means, such as acoil spring 40a may be connected between the indicator ring 38a andhandle tube 13a to urge the ring toward a starting position of itsrotative movement.

Rotata-bly and slidably circumposed about the shaft 26a is an open-endedtubular member or sleeve 46 provided in its outer surface with a camslot 47. A pin 48 projects interiorly from the handle tube 13a intosliding engagement in the cam slot 47, and an additional pin 49 may befixed to the shaft 26a just below the lower end of sleeve 46 forengagement with the latter.

Thus, upon upward longitudinal shifting of shaft 260, pin 49 engagessleeve 46 to move the sleeve upward with the pin, while cam pin 48slides in groove 47 to effect rotative movement of the said sleeverelative to the shaft 26a.

Carried on the upper end of the sleeve 46 is a lug 44a engageable uponupward and rotative movement of the sleeve to engage one of thedepending teeth 41a and thereby effect incremental rotation of indicatorwheel 38a. The indicator wheel is held in its incrementally rotatedposition by interengagement of window tooth 22a with upper ring teeth42a, in the same manner as described hereinbefore; and, the indicatorwheel 38a may be returned to its initial angular position by inwarddepression of the window 19a.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides arazor construction of the shave-counting type which fully accomplishesits intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions ofmanufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

a lug depending from said flange, an elongate shaft extendinglongitudinally within said hollow tube, said elongate member including afirst shaft into said actuating knob and being its other end to a secondshaft, said second shaft constrained to pure axial longitudinalmovement, said first shaft movable both longitudinally and rotatably, acam first shaft adjacent said one end thereof, a cross-pin in said knobextending through said diametral slot, an annular indicator ring havingnumerical indicia on its periphery rotatably circumposed about saidfirst shaft and adjacent said window for visual presentation of theindicia through said window, said indicator ring being rotatablerelative to said first shaft, resilient means connected between saidindicator ring and said tube to resiliently and yieldably maintain saidring in a predetermined position of its rotative movement, an annulararray of depend-ing teeth on the underside of said indicator ring, anannular array of upstanding teeth on the upper side of said ring, saiddepending lug carried by said window normally located in the path ofsaid upstanding teeth for abutting engagement with respective teeth tolimit rotative movement of said indicator ring in one angular direction,an abutment on said first shaft below the position of said ring formovement with said first shaft into engagement with said depending teethto effect an incremental rotational movement of said ring, said lugbeing configured to ride over one of said upstanding teeth uponrotational movement of said ring.

2. A shave counting razor according to claim 1, further including alongitudinally extending groove in said second shaft, and a pin fixed tosaid tube and projecting into said groove to constrain said second shaftagainst rotative movement.

3. A shave counting razor according to claim 1, a recess in said window,said indicator ring being received in said recess to thereby maintainsaid ring in postiion longitudinally of said tube, said resilient meansconnecting between the indicator ring and said tube being a coil spring.

4. A shave counting razor according to claim 1, depending teeth and saidupstanding teeth being of ratchettooth configuration and said dependingteeth arranged in an annulus concentric with and having a smallerdiameter than said annular array of upstanding teeth.

5. A shave counting razor comprising a blade holding head disposedtransversely on one end of an elongate hollow handle, said handleextending from said head and including an elongate hollow tube havingone end fixed to said head and a rotary actuating knob rotatably affixedto the other end of said hollow tube, a thru opening in said hollowtube, a window located in said opening, means for retaining said windowin said opening to prevent outward removal of said window whilepermitting inward displacement thereof, a flange on said windowextending inwardly into the interior of said hollow tube, a lugdepending from said flange, an elongate shaft eX- tending longitudinallywithin said hollow tube, one end of said elongate member extending intosaid actuating knob for threaded engagement therewith, the other end ofsaid elongate member attached to a transverse member in said headconstrained to vertical movement only, an open-ended tubular memberrotatably and slidably circumposed about said elongate member, a camslot of generally spiral configuration in said tubular member, a pinprojecting inward from said tube and having its inner end engaging insaid cam slot, a second pin afiixed to said elongate member below saidtubular member to effect movement of the latter upon movement of saidelongate member, an annular indicator ring having numerical indicia onits periphery rotatably circumposed about said elongate member andadjacent said window for visual presentation of the indicia through saidwindow, said indicator ring being rotatable relative to said elongatemember, resilient means connected between said indicator ring and saidtube to resiliently and yieldably maintain said ring in a predeterminedposition of its rotative movement, an annular array of depending teethon the underside of said indicator ring, an annular array of upstandingteeth on the upper side of said ring, said depending lug carried by saidwindow normally located in the path of said upstanding teeth forabutting engagement with respective teeth to limit rotative movement ofsaid indicator ring in one angular direction, a second lug on the upperedge of said tubular member, whereby the vertical movement of saidelongate member will effect both vertical-,and rotative movement of saidtubular member and said-second lug to efiect an incremental rotationalmovement of said ring, said first lug being configured to ride over oneof said upstanding teeth upon rotational movement of said ring.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,229,659 1/1966 Sciascia 1l6 13fLOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R,

